On March 6, before a joint House and Senate hearing on veterans’ affairs, Senator Dole made a statement in support of the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act. The Senator reminded the panel that while Washington cannot fix all our nation’s problems, “some of America’s greatest challenges could only be solved with the leadership, power, and resources entrusted to you, our elected representatives.”
One year since this important, bi-partisan legislation was introduced, caregivers are still waiting for Congress to pass it. This sends the wrong message to America’s hidden heroes. As we urge our leaders to pass this now, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation will continue to rally the nation behind our mission and assure caregivers, their veterans, and their families that we always stand with them.
The Foundation is thrilled to announce that we have welcomed a new Hidden Heroes Ambassador, Fox & Friends co-host and best-selling author, Ainsley Earhardt. Ainsley was inspired by the Foundation’s mission during an interview with Dole Caregiver Fellow Chris Traumer. Fox Corporation surprised Chris with a $10,000 gift to support the care of his father, and Ainsley personally matched the contribution in memory of her mother, who like Chris’s dad, suffered a stroke, and her father who cared for her. Ainsley is eager to help us reach more caregivers, and we are incredibly grateful for her support.
Ainsley and Steve at FOX Headquarters in New York City
We also want to congratulate Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walter E. Piatt, who was recently named the next CEO of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a longtime supporter and partner of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Under the leadership of Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Michael Linnington, WWP grew as a bedrock supporter of the Foundation and America’s caregivers through co-chairing our Hidden Helpers Coalition, funding free respite care provided through the Foundation, and sponsoring the 10-year follow-up RAND study coming out later this spring. We thank Lt. Gen. Linnington for his distinguished leadership of WWP and his partnership with our Foundation, and we look forward to continuing our work together with Lt. Gen. Piatt.
The Foundation is also connecting with more caregivers through our I am a Caregiver campaign, which launched last month in El Paso. I was pleased to be part of the kick-off event as city leaders announced their pledge to encourage local caregivers to raise their hands, join our community, and access the resources and support they need. El Paso is setting a high bar for other communities, and we can’t wait to take their example to cities nationwide. The success of the event was also a credit to the tireless advocacy of Texas Dole Caregiver Fellow Linda Mais who did an outstanding job activating her local community.
We continue our ongoing digital programming this month with some caregiver exclusives — tomorrow we’ll host a Book Talk with TODAY co-host and Hidden Heroes Ambassador, Savannah Guthrie; as well as our annual Caregiver Town Hall on April 29. This month, we also have a financial preparedness workshop on April 15 for families caring for a veteran with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Neurological conditions affect nearly one third of older veterans requiring care. The around-the-clock assistance these veterans often require can dramatically strain financial resources and impact caregiver employment. Find more information on how to attend below.
As more caregivers step forward, the Foundation stands ready to support them. Stay tuned in the months ahead for exciting developments bolstering the Foundation’s capacity to support caregivers, their service members, veterans, and families. Thank you for being an important part of our community.
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the USAA Education Foundation have partnered to create a new financial wellness tool specifically for caregivers. Stay tuned for more news on this exciting resource!
Emeritus Class Fellow Jessica Allen (Tenn.) recently contributed to this NerdWallet article on ways to use your tax refund to jump-start your financial goals.
Did you know disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities can save an average of 25% or more by shopping at the commissary? Learn more about commissary benefits for disabled veterans here and here.
Face the Fight, a private sector-led initiative working to break the stigma surrounding suicide in the military community, has launched a new training portal, which is open to all partners and friends of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation courtesy of our membership in the coalition. Participants can earn a digital certificate when they complete the Face the Fight™: Basics of Veteran Suicide Prevention.
Happy Month of the Military Child!
April is here, and we are all about celebrating military kids! Their resilience, bravery, and joy light up our military community. According to the Department of Defense, there are more than 1.6 million military children in the United States. Through the work of our Hidden Helpers Coalition, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation brings vital attention to the untold stories of children who are involved in providing care for a wounded, ill, or aging veteran. Throughout the month, take time to learn more about support and resources for our nation’s hidden helpers.
On Saturday, March 2 we had a special event for HHCC family members and fellows alongside the National Park Trust. This event gave families the opportunity to explore DC and some of its most famous sights. Who knew learning could be so fun?
I am a Caregiver Launches in El Paso
EDF staff members Marianne Delatorre, Madison Moore, Tessa Miller,
and Program Manager Lead of the USAA Educational Foundation, Katie Casey-Macias
The Foundation joined city leaders in El Paso, Texas to formally launch the I am a Caregiver campaign. After successfully piloting the campaign in Michigan in 2021, the Foundation brought the initiative to El Paso as the first stop in taking the program nationwide. During a March 14 ceremony that included Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, Steve Schwab told the assembled crowd, “You are showing our country what it means to truly support military caregivers, their families, and the service members and veterans they care for.”
I am a Caregiver directly addresses caregiver isolation and lack of self-identification by raising awareness of what it means to be a military caregiver and encouraging local hidden heroes to share their stories. The Foundation then works with cities to develop the resources needed to support the caregivers in their communities.
An estimated 16,000 caregivers live in El Paso. Both the city and El Paso County have been active members of the Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program which facilitates I am a Caregiver. El Paso was also recently recognized as a “Great American Defense Community” by the Association of Defense Communities.
State Senator Cesar J. Blanco praised the launch, saying, “Upholding our commitment to honoring our veterans also means taking care of those who care for them. This national campaign will highlight the vital role of caregivers in our community, ensuring they receive the support and recognition they deserve.”
An unexpected journey
Caregiver Spotlight: Linda MaisTexas Dole Caregiver Fellow, Class of 2021
Linda with her dad, Joe
Tell us about your life before becoming a caregiver.
Professionally, I devoted most of my career to law enforcement. I also started a family and now have four children, one grandson, five dogs, and two cats. My father served in the Air Force in Vietnam, but he left the service before I was born, so the impact of his time in uniform was never obvious to me. Growing up, we were told that we should never wake dad abruptly, but I did not make the connection between those emotional challenges and his time in Vietnam until I started helping him with his disability documentation.
It started simply in 2019. My dad needed my help applying for his disability rating. Through that process, I discovered my dad’s PTSD diagnosis and that he qualified as 100 percent disabled. Suddenly, I understood the cause of the anger and panic I saw as a child. I started talking to my dad about his time in the Air Force and the triggers that continue to resurface his symptoms. I encouraged him to take advantage of counselling services and now coordinate his care and take him to all his appointments.
What are your current challenges as your father’s caregiver?
One of the biggest challenges is time. While physical injuries can be demanding on caregivers, emotional wounds often require caregivers to be at their veteran’s side as much as possible, if not around-the-clock. It is also important that I attend all my dad’s doctor’s appointments to help him trust his providers and be a part of his treatment plan. I also balance his care with caring for my mother and brother, an Army veteran.
How has being a Dole Caregiver Fellow changed your caregiver experience?
The Fellowship has given me a way to share my caregiver knowledge with my peers, which has been fulfilling for me and, I hope, valuable to others. Despite millions of Americans caring for a service member or veteran, a lot of us struggle through caregiving, figuring everything out on our own. The Fellowship has provided opportunities for me to take what I have learned and give a head start to the caregivers in my community. I recently worked with my hometown of El Paso to launch the Foundation’s I am a Caregiver campaign, which I hope will accelerate the number of caregivers I can reach and support.
What advice do you give to other caregivers?
The most important advice I can offer to caregivers is to absolutely speak up and advocate on behalf of your veteran, as well as yourself! Only you know if something is off or needs to be addressed before it becomes a more complex issue. Do not be afraid to use your voice if you are not heard the first or even the second time!
April 10 – Savannah Guthrie Book Talk
This caregiver-exclusive event will feature Elizabeth Dole Foundation CEO, Steve Schwab as he interviews TODAY co-host and Hidden Heroes Ambassador, Savannah Guthrie. This special webinar will cover her newly published book, Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere.
April 29 – Caregiver Town Hall
Join the Hidden Heroes Caregiver Town Hall on April 29th at 2 PM ET. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation wants to hear directly from our Hidden Heroes network about what is going on in your communities. We will have updates on our organization and the Elizabeth Dole Act and discuss topics related to military and veteran caregiving, current policies, opportunities/resources that are available to you and much more!
Through our partnership with the Rupe Foundation, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation is spotlighting the unique caregiving experience of those caring for a veteran with Alzheimer’s and the financial responsibilities they may face. We will cover the connection between PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) to Alzheimer’s and Dementia and early signs of these diseases. Katie Casey-Macias, CFP® will speak to the financial preparedness and steps that caregivers can take while Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter will speak about their specific caregiving experience and the language, and tactics to create successful interactions to make it easier for both caregiver and loved one.
May 2 – Financial Self-Care for Women Caregivers According to RAND, approximately 60% of military and veteran caregivers are women and often manage household finances. Join the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Prudential Pathways for an empowering webinar geared towards building self-assurance and taking charge in financial planning and oversight. Leading experts will share guidance on how to identify top money concerns, protect your greatest assets, and develop a money mindset.
The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is proud to support The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act, which was introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R- KS) and Kyrsten Sinema (D- AZ) in March. This vital legislation ensures that military and veteran caregivers continue to receive the necessary support they need after their time as a caregiver ends. The legislation extends access to healthcare and employment assistance, while also aiding with the transition from full-time caregiving back to the workforce or to retirement.
Some important provisions in the bill include:
Extending the period of medical care coverage for caregivers enrolled in CHAMPVA for up to 180 days following their dismissal from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
Reimbursing fees up to $1000 associated with certifications for employment along with providing access to further training and employment education at no cost.
Requiring the VA to provide retirement planning services and bereavement counseling and support to former caregivers when their veteran loved one passes away.
Calling for studies that investigate barriers to employment opportunities for former caregivers as well as the feasibility of establishing retirement plans for family caregivers.
It is time we face the challenges of caregivers transitioning back to work and into retirement after caregiving. According to our CEO Steve Schwab, “For decades now, caregivers have been critical to the mission of America’s armed forces, working to improve the lives of millions of servicemen and women, but their contributions are often overlooked. This bill recognizes the essential role they have in communities across America and represents an important investment in their wellbeing. Provisions in this bill will help deliver employment, financial, and retirement resources to thousands of caregivers who deserve to know their nation stands beside them as they look to the future.”
We will work hard with Congressional Members and staff to achieve passage of this monumental bill in the coming months, as we continue to advocate for our nation’s hidden heroes—military and veteran caregivers—from the onset of their caregiving journey to long after it ends.
Let’s Connect
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